Joe Johnson Receives the Nurturing Father’s Program Outstanding Professional of the Year award at 2017-2018 Summit

CHI St. Joseph’s Health FATHER Project Program Coordinator, Joe Johnson recently received The Nurturing Fathers Program Outstanding Professional of the Year award at The Nurturing Fathers Program (NFP) 2017-2018 Summit.

The Nurturing Fathers Program (NFP) Summit was held in Florida on October 21st and 22nd bringing together NFP Master Trainers and Consultant/Trainers to share best practices, innovations, inspirations, and planning for continued success to become the very best, most nurturing fathers that they can be. Transformation was the overarching theme for this biennial conference. Participants shared NFP tools, creative adaptations, theory and practice to educate and illuminate this process of transformation.

“Joe Johnson has been a "star" at these gatherings over the past several years. It was no different this year as he shared his powerful personal journey of transformation into the nurturing fun-loving father and family man that he is today”, said NFP Program Author/Trainer, Mark Perlman.

Since launching in 2011, CHI St. Joseph’s Health Community Health FATHER Project has been making a positive impact in the community by providing life-changing support for families. The Project’s mission is to help any and all fathers, custodial or non-custodial, or anyone filling in as a father figure (step dads, grandparents, foster parents) learn healthy parenting skills and behaviors, as well as overcome barriers that have prevented them from providing emotional and financial support for their children. By participating in this voluntary step-by-step, multi-class program, participants learn an array of fathering skills that include healthy disciplinary approaches, parenting and communication styles, and co-parenting skills. Some participants go on to become “citizen fathers,” a special achievement for dads who excel in the program and exemplify strong leadership and fathering skills.

Over the past six years, over 375 dads have been enrolled in The FATHER Project and been empowered to overcome the barriers that prevented them from supporting their children economically and emotionally. “By eliminating barriers and providing a variety of services, we have addressed many social issues affecting our community. We continue to help each individual along the path to achieving goals and becoming independent, productive members for their families and communities.” said Marlee Morrison, CHI St. Joseph’s Health Community Health Director.

“There are precious few successful models for serving rural populations in this way, but I always felt that Joe Johnson was the man who could make this work for the betterment of all involved. The "NFP Professional of the Year" Award is a testament to Joe’s efforts and success”, said NFP Program Author/Trainer, Mark Perlman.